Sadly, in what seems like an attempt to dampen the festive spirits, a rumour has gone viral in Pakistan, home of close to a million expats in the UAE.
According to a fake notice going viral across the country, the UAE General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs has issued a notification suspending issuance of UAE visas for Pakistanis.
The ministry and immigration of UAE has temporarily suspended issuance of UAE visa for Pakistanis. Those who have visa already can travel, the fake notice said.
The rumour was also picked up by mainstream Pakistani media.
GEO TV quoted officials of the Travel Agents Association of Pakistan, who said the visa service has been suspended until further notice.
No particular detail has been provided for the visa rejection, the report said, quoting the chairman of the association, Naeem Sharif.
Vice chairman of the association, Nadeem Sharif, said that this was a temporary arrangement, adding that he believes the service would resume from the start of the New Year, the report added.
He said that the visa restrictions had been imposed for Pakistanis only, as around 300,000 Pakistanis are already in Dubai on visit visas.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs of Dubai has denied these rumours.
The GDRFA said visitors from Pakistan are welcome to enter Dubai after obtaining a visa.
The situation is normal, the official said.
Visitors have been advised not to fall for rumours and always verify news with official UAE/Dubai government agencies.
Pakistanis wanting to celebrate Christmas and New Year's Eve in Dubai may be in for a disappointment.
Officials of the Travel Agents Association of Pakistan (TAAP) on Monday claimed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government is rejecting visit visa applications from Pakistanis, asking travel agents not to apply until further notice.
No particular detail has been provided for the visa rejection, according to Chairman Travel Agents Association Naeem Sharif.
Vice Chairman Travel Agents Association, Nadeem Sharif, added that this was a temporary arrangement, adding that he believes the service would resume from the start of the New Year.
He said that the visa restrictions have been imposed for Pakistanis only, as around 300,000 Pakistanis are already in Dubai on visit visas.
However, the restriction and the reason behind it has yet to be confirmed by the UAE embassy.
When Geo.tv reached out to the Press Officer at the UAE consulate in Islamabad, he declined to comment on the matter.
Tourism Observer
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